that state which largely might be made thence to appear the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also is of future signification answerable to the time and state of that Prophesie and some Fathers and even some Papists have so understead that time to be Christs second comeing of which much more might be said but this is to me above all I am sure Christ explains all these in this sence in the Revelation as our two last books if rightly understood do manifest I thought to have spoken of many things more in this Epistle so ordered by Christs holy Spirit as I find them to this purpose as in ch 11. many things of the sufferers and Covenants to Abraham Isaac Jacob and others but we have spoken of them partly in our Key p. 7 8 9 c and in our said last Books and of the Communion in the New Testament state then ch 12. which also we spoke of in the said Books and more in our Tract on Jer. 3.17 and because we have but a short Introduction in hand to our intended short Scheme if God will we will be satisfied with thus much at present to our present purpose The like exposition I have from Christs Revelation of what St. Paul saith of Christs first comeing and the first Resurrection of the Saints 1 Cor. 15. after he had risen above 1600 years before as their first fruits to sanctifie and effect their Resurrection afterwards at his second comeing v. 23. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deinde intends 1000 years after as Christ teacheth shall be the end which will be when he shall have put down all Rule and Authority and Power that is chiefly as Scripture witnesseth Ezekiels Gog and Magog and shut up Satan in the bottomless pit for 1000 years and after that destroy the last Gog and Magog Rev. 20.8 9. and cast the Devil into the lake of Fire and the last Enemy Death will be destroyed with the Author of it the first Soul Murtherer and sin the effect of his wickedness and also the matter for death to work upon will be taken away which are the destroying of death none remaining from thence in the world in the natural life but after the said 1000 years shall be that Mistery of the general Rapture which he speaks of v. 51 52. at the last Trump at his descending with a shout as also the same Apostle speaks at his last comeing which I believe from the same warrant he speaks of 1 Thes 4.15 16 c. as distinguishing his bringing with him all that sleep in Jesus which he had called the appearance of Christ with all his Saints before ch 3. ult from this last when those dead in Christ viz. all that departed in 1000 years before shall rise first then that is before the wicked at the last Trump then both which sorts are these our Saviour calls the rest of the dead that rose not till 1000 years after or till the 1000 years were finished v. 5. the first said Resurrection of the Saints is Rev. 20.4 5. as Christ there exactly distinguisheth both of them and this may be observed by humble and conscientious seekers to be resolved which Resolutions of these Texts I do upon good grounds believe shortly will be approved by Christ himself at his comeing and how matchless a Resolver that Revelation so called with a witness is and in some things with Daniel also such as rightly seek by it as they ought I doubt not but may more and more by their own Experience find and in the interim after all present gainsayings yet with declared willingness to give a Christian-like account to all serious persons c. I bless and magnifie the holy name of God my heavenly Father in Christ my gracious merciful Redeemer of the Lord the Spirit my Sanctifier Teacher to my great comfort and satisfaction of these and many like Divine Truths couched as he hath been pleased to lay them down in his holy Word for others I only here pray saying Blessed and Holy Trinity of Persons in the Unity of the Divine Essence open the eyes of thy faithful servants in these times to understand the holy Scriptures respecting that said world to come at Christs second comeing as our blessed Saviour after his Resurrection opened his Disciples understandings Luke 24.45 then to see the things before and at his first comeing and especially respecting his Death and Refurrection then newly past c. Amen We might here note hat strong confutation might be taken against Pelagian Arminian Popish Socinian Errours many others excite all to get true Grace as the best security of all good to that end lay aside worldly wicked projects in the world and keep close to God in the use of all good means and that Great Persons should kiss the Sun c. Psal 2. but we are forced now only to hint thus much FINIS
what remains to be done with the Father and by the operation of the Holy Spirit and so 2dly for his upholding of all things by the word of his power c. verse 3. through all those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or several states of thing and 3dly by purging the sins of his Elect 1. by his word and will revealed 2 by his blood shed or to be shed and 3dly by his Spirit given through all the said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Worlds until from his Personal second coming to the Judgment of the great day he perfects the said work of Redemption and by his carrying on of these 3 things in the first 6000 years and that so his three fold most Just Title and Right may then manifestly arise of his inheriting all things vers 2 3. which sâ—ith he his Saints shall also then inherit with him Rev. 21.7 But here some may object that the sixth Millen will so want above 200 years c. Answ 1. Christ tells us of shortning evil times for the Elects sake he may mean it of these c. 2. The sixth Millen in that respect seems more like the sixth day in the Creation at the end of which most probably the Serpent Satan tempted Eve she seduced Adam and God in the cool of the day Summons Arrains and Sentenceth all the three said Offenders and cast Adam and Eve out of Paradise all which would require some considerable time and we know not but that he hath designed the little space of Satans loosing to make it up being a bad state of things with them who shall act in that wicked attempt which yet will not reach the Saints but only make Christ a little work to perfect his said Redemption then by destroying the Devil and wicked men at once when he lastly delivers his Saints in the world as in our six Conclusions is shewed page 17 18. of Restitut also a Germane Doctor gives an account of much more than 200 years lost in several Computations which he mentions and so the 6000 years should be much past but we insist not upon that only acknowleding God is Sovereign Lord of all times and actings in them and for such particularities we may not be curious where he hath not revealed but we see the Parallel of the sixth day and sixth thousand year from Gods one is considerable and as was shewed we have Gods Spirits Guidance thereto and Christs Explication thereof before the little space we mentioned and by all which it may appear there is Scripture ground for Gods Millenniari me for the first 6000 years as well as for Christs on the seventh c. besides God appointed Christ to be then Heir of all things so the order manner means with the times for the same and those times arev ery punctually exactly set forth by Christ himself We shall now proceed to the further most irresistable evidence of the said neer approaching time and state 1. From Gods eternal Decree manifested by his word in four particulars all to take place in the same time and state all which are also Divinely Gloriously and Graciously resolved ultimately that none may dare to contradict under a terrible Penalty Rev. 22.18 19. by Christ in his Book of Revelation to belong to the same The first is his eternal Decree of appointing Christ then to be Heir of all things Heb. 1.1 2 3. from his 3 fold said right which we but now mentioned when the world to come or last state of things in it shall take place of which more if God will in the instance of the Epistle to the Hebrews when the Revelation also declares Christ shall have the Sovereignty and Dominion of the world given to him as Dan. 7.13 14. Rev. 20. and all things shall be made new for him and his Saints ch 21.5 to become a fit Inheritance for him and them as he promiseth as was said Rev. 21.7 for which purpose when St. James speaks of raising up Davids Tabernacle the Spirit of God directs him to set down that great Truth foreknown to God are all his works from the Foundation of the world as if he would thereby shew that the said raising of the Tabernacle of David was a matter foreknown to God from Eteraity Acts 15.17 when Christ will arise and judge the Earth that he may as the Psalmist speaketh inherit all Nations Psal 82. ult 2. Gods Word witnesseth that God made an eternal Covenant with Christ to give to him all his Elect in the said times to be redeemed by him until he receive his Inheritance and when the Heathen shall be given him for his Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for his possession Psal 2. And so he declares Esa 62.6 that he will give them for a Covenant of the people which the Sep. very appositely and fitly renders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of my Generation not of Bloods or the will of the flesh or the will of Man but born of God as John 1.13 and born of the Spirit John 3.5 6. and of this Covenant the Holy Ghost gives an excellent explication Isa 59 ult As for me this my Covenant with them saith the Lord my spirit which is upon thee Christ and my words which I have put in thy mouth which includes all his Ordinances grounded upon his Word nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed and again he adds saith the Lord for this Scipture is full of Emphasis from henceforth even for ever I do here only briefly touch upon these great things referring what remains to future Discourses if God will and all those so Heaven-born Creatures given by Covenant to Christ from Eternity the Apostle Rom. 8.17 declares where also he speaks of other matters respecting that state of the 1000 years verse 19 20 21 c. that they shall be Heirs and joynt Heirs with Christ and they are also so explained to be the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven called there The Bride the Lambs Wife Rev. 21.2 9. which will be the Spirits of just men made perfect which before that time were in the Jerusalem above Gal. 4. but then coming with Christ at his appearance and Kingdome are called the Bride the Lambs Wife at the Saints first bodily Resurrection Rev. 20.4 5. when as our Saviour prayed John 17.23 they will be then made perfect in one and behold his glory c. verse 24. 3. Gods word witnesseth that God by his said Eternal Decree appointed the Creation of the World for Christ and his said Saints to be possessed by them in the said seventh Millennium for although he made Angels and Men at first in the perfection of their Natures yet he was not then pleased to eâ—gage his Almighty Arm to uphold them in that state wherefore foreseeing they would fall he carries on thereupon his everlastitg designe through Christ for his Saints to his own greatest Glory
all these may be observed in our Scheme of Revelation and Summary of Daniel in one sheet of excellent use if well perused and frequently But for the matter of the four last chapters briefly handled Dan. 2. and Dan. 7. after the fourth Monarchy our Saviour explains Divinely many things as referring to the other Prophets from first to last chiefly respecting the said antient Predictions Covenants with wonderful exactness which the latter Prophets and New Testament confirm as they are so explained by Christs said Revelation Yet many allusions to other Prophets are made in that whole book to the Old Testament Dispensations both of the Camp of Israel in their Wilderness condion and when the Temple was built and to Rulers the 24 Elders and to Church Guides the four Beasts full of Eyes Rev. 4. to Ezekiels Vision ch 1. 10. and Es 6. to Zacharies two Olive Trees ch 4. the Witnesses Rev. 11. c. wherein we may note the passing of the handle of Christs Key as we may fitly call it by Promises and Incouragements as in our seventh Convincing Argument to their times of fulfilling in the 1000 years as the Souls beheaded and their fellow Servants and Brethren Rev. 6.9 10 c. are raised to Reign ch 20.4 6. which is a very weighty and useful consideration therein We only by the Abridgments mentioned in our Account p. 3. passed per Saltum as we said pag. 3. of Resur unto the twentieth ch referring Christians for the former part to ch 19. now almost fulfilled to Mr. Medes Commentary and Clavis chiefly but the Observation of Decem. 7. 1664. in the Prodr on Mr. Durhams book do explain many things from ch 5. to the end but note here that as Daniels twelfth ch is a Key to that Book so Rev. 17. to the times of the Beasts 1660 years as in our useful Observations where that and many other excellent matters respecting both books are set down Observ 7 8 9 10 11. next after the Tract upon Rev. 22.20 Thus we see the Holy Spirit so many wayes joyns Daniel and the Revolation both in times and things as was shewed in both Books through the 2300 years of the four said Gentile Monarchies from the falling of Davids said Tabernacle which points Unto us this consolation that God will be mindful of that covenant when the time comes as also of all the former whose Period is the same and their mercie in substance will be the same and it is no wonder it should be so long before that peoples reducement since their Sin was so great at first but especially at their last and longest and sorest Captivity when they had killed the Lord of life with so great a curse upon themselves and their Children Upon all which said confirmations and evidences Gods Design in Christs redemtion was at his first coming to be manifest to be the son of God in the flesh and to have a body given him Heb 10.5 as in both respects foretold by the Prophets when as God-man he by dying laid the foundation of all future good Reconciling both Jews and Gentles by his death Rom. 5.10 and meriting the salvation of all his Saints souls about An. Mun. 4000. but towards the end of the Sixth millennium at his 2d coming he shall powerfully destroy his great Visible enemies and bind Satan the 1000. years and raise the Saints bodies from the grave freeing the persons and outward conditions of his people and the the world and Creatures in it from the bondage of Corruptions as largly is explained Restit p. 44. 45. 46. c. and in the 4. last ch we shall here only farther observe Christs curious exactness that speaking of the beasts destruction at the time of his eminent breaking of the Serpents head at the first act of the Judgment he only saith these are the true sayings of God c. 19.9 but when he speaks of the promised mercies to the Fathers twice to be then fulfilled he saith ch 21.5 and chap 22.6 these words are both faithfull and true And also for the times in respect of the when he sets the mark 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is done at the renovation of all things ch 21.6 which before he had set Chap. 16 17. by a like great Voice from the Throne to shew their coincidence at the same time saying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is done as from Ezek. 39.8 is remarkably explained N. B. page 61 62. of Restitut And for the quandiù how long it shall continue Christ set it down in an unparallell'd manner six times over to be 1000 years 3 of them absolutely 1000 years 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and then three times relatively 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those those those thousand years Rev. 20. First of Satans binding v. 2 3. 2dly of the Saints first bodily Resurrection and Reign with Christ in the world v. 4 5. 3dly of the happy condition in that state 1. They are blessed 2. holy as the reason of that blessedness 3. Their security thereupon they shall not be hurt of the second death 4. Their great Priviledge then they shall be Priests of God and of Christ 5. In their supream Authority with Christ then they reigned with Christ 1000 years In such a wonderful glorious manner hath our Saviour determined the said time and state which is the Divine Millenniarism of Christ so exactly and curiously set before us by his Scriptures of Truth And lastly by the comprehensive usefulness of this book it refers to all parts all Holy Scriptures for first Christ explains the last times of the four Gentile Monarchies mistically contained in Daniel as we shewed from the beginning of the Kingdome of the Stone to the end thereof at ch 19. whose Chronology begin when Davids Tabernacle fell for the Sins of his natural Race and those said Gentile Kingdomes reach through the 2300 years of their continuance to the raising of Davids Tabernacle in Christ as the Son of Davids Reign with his Saints New Davids Covenant for his said Kingdome which that state of Israel was then grown up unto carries us back to the former Promises and Covenants to Abraham Isaac and Jacob respecting the renewed state of the Land and the New Jerusalem belonging to their Spiritual Seed and Noahs Type of the Ark sets forth the safety of the Saints in the end of the world by Christ their true Ark the Covenant for all Creatures signified by the Rainbow assures the worlds continuance and the accommodations of its fruitfulness and that chiefly for those times as following Prophets teach us his Prophesie of Shems and Japhets Posterity set forth of what Race mostly besides Proselites haply all along should rise as the Prophets after explain in both their double great Calls and how the Messiah from Adam Enoch Noah and all the rest should lineally descend who should restore his Saints with himself to a much more glorious and happy Paradise of God in that said state
his power upholds all things through all those Worlds viz. the said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or states of them and lastly purgeth the sins of his Elect through them all as was said before and so v. 4. and all the chapter to the end and throughout chapter the second he magnifies Christs Sonship by comparing him with the Angels shewing how far and in how many respects the sacred Scripture sets up this Son of God above the Angels he had said something before of his eternal glory for time past but here he illustrates his Sonship for time present to come wherein we may observe from Scripture ground that distinction of the learned of Christs being eternally 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the wisdome in the bosome of the Father and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word revealed or manifested in the flesh to be the Son of God in whose face as being made flesh and so God-man in one person as saith our Apostle all the Fathers glory is manifest 2 Cor. 3.6 John 1.12 and so he is the Fathers only begotten Son at his conception when the Holy Ghost overshadowed the blessed Virgin upon her Faith of the Angels Message at his holy conception Luke 1. and when the fame spirit of holiness with power raised him from the the Dead Rom. ◠4 Psal 2. Acts 13. and so he is called his first begotten from the Dead Rev. 1.5 for Scripture only speaks of his being the Son of God only in reference to some Divine Manifestation to be made in time towards his humane nature whereby God manifests and owns him to be his Son as he was first eternally decreed or Prophetically declared so to be but no otherwise and so at his Baptisme Matthew 3. and at his Transfiguration Mat. 17. at his Ascention as he prayed John 17. to have as the Fathers Son his former glory which he had c. so when the Spirit led him into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil he brought him to that tryal If thou be the Son of God c. Mat. 4. And at his Death Gods power was so manifest towards him that the very Centurion at that discouraging state strongly asserts it Truly saith he this was the Son of God And our Apostle here adds one more to come which is the greatest the most glorious and gracious accomplishment of the end of all others before in the world when he shall be brought again into that world to come N. B. which shall as he there shews not be subject to Angels but to the Son of God so gloriously then above all other times before to manifest him to be the Son of God ad his heir of all things as appointed for that time and state as his First-borne higher than the Kings of the Earth Psalm 89.27 as we shall farther shew as Christs Revelation Explication manifests from ch 2.5 And our Apostle from v. 4. having laid down many glorious Testimonies of holy Scripture for that great Title of Son v. 5. and of his comeing to take his Kingdome at his second comeing v. 6. from Dan 7.13 14. and of his Kingly Dignity v. 8. when Angels are his Ministring Spirits v. 7. but then at his said comeing again his Divine Throne which he shall then sit upon as the Son of David will then gloriously manifest also that he is the Son of God in that it will be to the end of the world being then ordered by his Scepter of Righteousness as Esa 9. as is explained v. 9. and the first Foundation he laid for this Kingdome was his creating Heaven and Earth v. 10. and as he made them he will also dissolve them in his time v. 11 12. with Rev. 20.11 but in the last place Gods spirit directs him v. 13. after his Divine manner to point out the time of his said Inheritance and Kingdome before spoken of v. 2 6 8. and that from that great Oracle Ps 110.1 so often repeated in the New Testament shewing it will be at the end of his sitting there which is at his second comeing or when he brings him again into the world v. 6. and in ch 10.13 until then as he shews he sits expecting the same till that time his foes shall be made his footstool and ch 2. after he had warned them of hearing God speaking by his Son v. 1 2 3 4. as he doth again towards the end of the Epistle ch 12.25 he proceeds to shew the preheminence of Christ in the world to come which is to begin then when God shall bring his Son again into the world as he proved before from Psal 97. which Ps foretels that time state and shews then will be the world he there speaks of and tells them it was not to be subject unto Angels but must be to the Son of God ch 2. v. 5 6 7 c. and to that purpose then adds a great Testimony from Psal 8.4 excellently here explained v. 6 7 8. where he teaches that the Creation at first since defaced by mans fall and Satans Usurpation and wickedness of Men which Christ had undertaken to rescue from his Tyranny for himself and those which the Father had given him for which cause he was made for a little time lower than the Angels and had made the purchase of the world anew which after he was to possess but first he must go to the high Court of Heaven to be gloriously put into possession in due time and then to return as Luke 19. to take his said Inheritance Kingdom possession when it is made fit for him at the Renovation of all things yea for him and his Saints in that time and state here spoken of as the Apostle expressly saith v. 8. we do not yet see all things put under him but our Saviours Revelation Key in the four last chapters gives an excellent account of that time and Gods way of performing them and opens all those things if men would humbly and conscientiously attend to it which I well through Divine Grace still more and more find doth strongly resolve all such things above all that man can say to the contrary and so as I am well from his word and holy Spirit assured he will make good before long time pass Now that this world to come is so be taken besides what was before said all fitly leading to it as by Gods Spirit so Divinely ordered note farther v 5. it is 1. stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an habitable world and 2dly it is spoken of to be when God brings his Son again viz the second time into the world v. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Adverb there is joyned with the Verb and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 points it out to be a special distinct time and matter he speaks of though also another proof of his Divine Sonship because then at his second comeing all the Angels must Worship him and it is as was Prophesied of before Psal 97.7 and of